Hockenheim qual race: Easily Aiello

From second on the grid, Aiello made a superb start to outdrag poleman Bernd Schneider (Mercedes) and opened a big margin over the opening couple of corners. Schneider had to fend off the attentions of Audi duo Karl Wendlinger and Mattias Ekstrom early on, but pulled away as the Red Bull-backed cars battled.

In the pack, Jean Alesi (Mercedes) made an over optimistic move at the hairpin on the opening lap and cannoned into the leading Opel of Alain Menu and the Mercedes of Marcel Fassler, ending up wedged on the bonnet of the latter.

Aiello eased away from Schneider at the front, winning by over 2secs. After defending early on, Wendlinger finally deferred to Ekstrom, who has an outside chance of overhauling Schneider for second in the championship.

Christian Abt made it four Audis in the top five, while Manuel Reuter led home Opel colleague Timo Scheider in sixth.


Laurent Aiello (F) Abt-Audi TT-R, 7 laps
Bernd Schneider (D) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK, +2.2s
Mattias Ekström (S) Abt-Audi TT-R, +5.6s
Karl Wendlinger (A) Abt-Audi TT-R, +7.6s
Christian Abt (D) Abt-Audi TT-R, +11.8s
Manuel Reuter (D) Phoenix Opel Astra V8 Coupe, +13.0s